if by some chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"if by some chance" is a completely acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It can be used when you're expressing a possibility of something occurring that you think is unlikely. Example: If by some chance our flight is delayed, we'll need to make alternate arrangements for our accommodation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Even if by some chance he were your papa.

The New York Times - Books

If by some chance it did, Britain would not sign up.A template was thus set.

The Economist

(If by some chance it is not, Mr. Stern said, gold bugs will be completely vindicated).

The New York Times

What would have happened if by some chance they could have met at that time?

The Guardian - Books

Even if, by some chance, none of these things happen, the tree is still going to die.

The New York Times - Magazine

Five days on surveillance, waiting to see if by some chance Carson might return to his uncle's farm.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

He could do the hard stuff, if by some wondrous chance he happened to be there.

The Guardian

Especially if by some horrible chance you have to wear the wrong uniform.

The Guardian

And if, by some horrible chance, she gets injured, she isn't going to be put down after the show.

The Guardian - Sport

What if, by some peculiar chance, he should bump into the biggest school bully of the lot when he leaves this interview?

Independent

But I knew that if by some slim chance it did get made, I wanted it to be me who wrote it.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if by some chance" to introduce a condition that you consider unlikely but still worth considering. This helps to acknowledge potential scenarios without overemphasizing their probability.

Common error

While acceptable, excessively using "if by some chance" can make your writing sound less confident. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "should it occur" or "in the unlikely event that" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if by some chance" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a clause that presents a possible, though improbable, scenario. As Ludwig confirms, it's a perfectly acceptable phrase. Its use sets up a hypothetical situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if by some chance" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a condition that is considered unlikely but still possible. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and acceptable. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral tone that makes it appropriate for various writing styles, although it should be used sparingly in excessively formal writing. Remember to use it when acknowledging potential scenarios without emphasizing their probability. Consider alternatives like "if perchance" or "in the unlikely event that" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if perchance

A more formal and slightly archaic alternative. Retains the sense of remote possibility.

if, by any chance

Separates "if" and "by any chance" to emphasize the conditional aspect.

if by any possibility

Replaces "chance" with "possibility", focusing on the uncertainty of the event.

should it happen that

A more formal construction expressing a hypothetical event.

in the unlikely event that

Explicitly states the low probability of the event occurring.

if it happens to be that

Emphasizes the accidental or coincidental nature of the event.

on the off chance that

An informal alternative, highlighting the slim probability.

assuming that, against all odds

Highlights the very slim probability that the assumption proves correct.

if luck would have it

Indicates that chance event is controlled by luck or fate.

by a long shot

Conveys that something is possible, but very unlikely.

FAQs

How can I use "if by some chance" in a sentence?

"If by some chance" introduces a condition that is considered unlikely. For example, "If by some chance I win the lottery, I will donate half of it to charity."

What can I say instead of "if by some chance"?

You can use alternatives like "if perchance", "in the unlikely event that", or "on the off chance that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "if by any chance" instead of "if by some chance"?

Yes, "if by any chance" is a valid alternative. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating a low probability of something happening.

What's the difference between "if by some chance" and "if by some miracle"?

"If by some chance" suggests something is unlikely but possible, while "if by some miracle" implies something is so unlikely that it would require a miraculous intervention to occur.